Things to Do in Pennington County
Pennington County, a region in South Dakota, presents a diverse landscape for outdoor activities. It transitions from the rugged Black Hills, characterized by dense forests and granite formations, to the unique sculpted sedimentary rock formations of the Badlands and the expansive prairies of the Buffalo Gap National Grassland. This varied terrain supports several sports like hiking, touring cycling, mountain biking, road cycling, and more.
Things to Do in Pennington County
Pennington County offers more than 100 routes for outdoor enthusiasts…
97
Routes
4.7
(24)
Average rating
811
People visited
6
hikers
21.4km
06:34
760m
760m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
8
hikers
4.38km
01:11
60m
60m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
5
hikers
6.05km
01:40
100m
100m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
5
hikers
5.03km
01:31
180m
160m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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37
riders
99.0km
04:17
840m
840m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
9
riders
77.0km
04:09
1,380m
1,380m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
7
riders
42.3km
02:19
720m
720m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
2
riders
76.7km
04:08
1,320m
1,320m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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9
riders
22.8km
01:20
90m
90m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
1
riders
55.5km
04:18
330m
330m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
2
riders
94.5km
06:43
530m
530m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
1
riders
34.9km
02:15
470m
470m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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6
riders
70.6km
06:24
880m
880m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
3.0
(1)
4
riders
18.7km
01:47
300m
300m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
4
riders
8.32km
00:51
200m
200m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
3
riders
21.0km
01:05
70m
70m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
23
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
21
runners
31.1km
03:36
710m
710m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
21
runners
12.1km
01:16
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
16
runners
7.62km
00:47
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(1)
19
riders
41.4km
02:21
380m
380m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
11
riders
38.6km
02:15
410m
410m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.0
(1)
14
riders
52.7km
03:08
670m
670m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
7
riders
127km
07:51
1,650m
1,640m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Top attractions in the region
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Most popular attractions in Pennington County
Nearby adventure guides
Natural areas to explore nearby
Frequently asked questions
What outdoor activities are available in Pennington County?
Pennington County offers a diverse range of outdoor activities including hiking, touring cycling, mountain biking, road cycling, jogging, and gravel biking. The region features more than 100 routes across these sports. komoot users have rated these routes highly, with an average of 4.84 out of 5 stars. For more details, refer to the Hiking in Pennington County guide.
What are the most popular hiking areas in Pennington County?
Popular hiking areas in Pennington County include the Black Hills National Forest and parts of Badlands National Park. Trails around Little Devils Tower and Sylvan Lake offer unique rock formations and views. Mount Rushmore also features accessible hiking experiences like the Presidential Trail.
Are there easy hiking trails for beginners in Pennington County?
Pennington County provides various easy hiking options suitable for beginners. These trails are often found in less strenuous sections of the Black Hills or designated paths. For specific recommendations, consult the Easy hikes in Pennington County guide.
What cycling opportunities are available in Pennington County?
Pennington County is a premier destination for various cycling disciplines, including touring cycling, mountain biking, and road cycling. The region features extensive trail systems and scenic roads. Explore more with the Cycling in Pennington County guide.
Where can I go touring cycling in Pennington County?
The George S. Mickelson Trail is a prominent touring cycling destination in Pennington County. This 109-mile (175 km) rail-to-trail path features a crushed limestone surface and gentle grades. It passes through diverse ecosystems, tunnels, and over historic trestle bridges within the Black Hills.
What are the best mountain biking trails in Pennington County?
Pennington County offers a significant number of mountain biking trails, particularly within the Black Hills. Areas like Hanson-Larsen Memorial Park (M Hill) in Rapid City provide diverse options for all skill levels. Detailed routes can be found in the MTB Trails in Pennington County guide.
Are there road cycling routes in Pennington County?
Scenic drives throughout the Black Hills and connecting towns offer excellent opportunities for road cycling in Pennington County. The Leonard Swanson Memorial Pathway provides over 10 miles (16 km) of paved trails within Rapid City. More routes are available in the Road Cycling Routes in Pennington County guide.
What natural landmarks or points of interest are in Pennington County?
Pennington County is home to iconic landmarks such as Mount Rushmore National Memorial and parts of Badlands National Park. Natural features include the Black Hills National Forest, Black Elk Peak, and several lakes like Deerfield Lake and Pactola Reservoir. These areas offer numerous viewpoints and trails.
What komoot guides are available for Pennington County?
komoot offers several guides for Pennington County, including Hiking in Pennington County, Cycling in Pennington County, and MTB Trails in Pennington County. There are also guides for easy hikes, road cycling, running, and gravel biking. These guides provide curated routes and information for various sports.
How many routes are available in Pennington County on komoot?
Pennington County features 129 routes available on komoot. These routes cover various sports such as hiking, touring cycling, mountain biking, and more. The routes have been explored by more than 6,000 visitors, contributing to an average rating of 4.84 out of 5 stars.
What is the official website for Pennington County?
The official website for Pennington County, South Dakota, is pennco.org. This website provides general information and resources for the county.
How can I contact Pennington County directly?
For general inquiries, the main phone number for Pennington County, South Dakota, is +1-605-394-2174. Specific department contact information is available on the official county website.
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